A Guide to Bucks County's Fall Frights and Festivals

Michelle Greco Falcone, Visit Bucks County

Tuesday

Aug 30, 2011 at 12:01 AMAug 30, 2011 at 11:28 AM

Fall fun is just around the corner with frights, festivals and larger-than-life scarecrows. Bucks County’s towns get in the spirit of Halloween and leaf-watching by hosting a series of events from lantern-led ghost tours and kid-friendly frights to educational apple picking and hayrides. Get out and experience the picturesque autumn beauty of Philadelphia’s northern countryside.

For a complete list of fall fairs and spine-chilling entertainment, check out VisitBucksCounty.com/Events or VisitBucksCounty.com/Halloween.

* Through September, a tractor-led hayride brings visitors through Shady Brook Farm’s popular apple orchard, where you can pick fresh apples by the pound. On Sept. 17-18, a weekend-long Apple Festival takes place with scrumptious homemade apple treats made from Shady Brook’s own apples.

* Only the brave should attempt Shady Brook Farm’s annual HorrorFest. During the month of October, wander throughout the Deadtime Stories Corn Maze, Barn of Horror or take a ride on the Hayride of Horror for a terrifying thrill. Looking for something tamer? Take the day and search thousands of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes to find your favorite during Pumpkinfest. Hayrides are available for a ride out to the harvest fields.

* Witness larger-than-life handmade scarecrows during Peddler’s Village Scarecrow Competition & Display (Sept. 5- Oct. 30). Scattered throughout 42 acres of lush gardens, these locally-crafted pieces of American folk art are set amongst an 18th Century shopping village for your family’s enjoyment. Be sure to vote for your favorite one! Come back the first weekend of November to enjoy apples galore at the 40th Annual Apple Festival, featuring scrumptious treats such as apple dumplings, fritters and a fall favorite, apple cider.

* Embark on a haunting journey through New Hope, one of Bucks County’s most popular towns, on a lantern-led walking tour with Ghost Tours of New Hope or on a train ride to the unknown aboard New Hope and Ivyland Railroad’s Haunted Train. Both attractions will surely be a "moving" experience.

* Watch your worst nightmares come to life at Bucks County’s numerous haunted houses, including Midnight Productions at Active Acres Haunted Farm and Valley of Fear at Phoenix Sports Club. Journey to the dark side with these seriously creepy haunted houses.

* The streets of downtown Doylestown will be lined with art, food, and entertainment for the town’s biggest event of the year, Doylestown Arts Festival, Sept. 17-18. In the neighboring town of New Hope, the Arts & Crafts Festival will boast hundreds of artists and craftspeople along the streets of this vibrant town Sept. 24-25.

* Watch as the colorful leaves fall on the bustling activity of the Historic Fallsington Day’s Street Fair with pony rides and an 18th Century fashion show on Oct. 8. Autumn Alive! brings the streets of Quakertown to life on Oct. 22 Rain or shine, this event features a popular Pet Parade, scarecrow contest, and horse-drawn wagon rides.

* For the little monsters, enjoy an evening with The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place (pictured). Join Elmo and friends on a Halloween adventure or find your way through the Count’s UN-Haunted Castle Maze on weekends only from Sept. 24 through October.

Visitors and locals can share their favorite Fall festival or fright in Bucks County on the Visit Bucks County Facebook page!

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.